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Author: The Associated Press

DENVER
— Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio was hit in the head by a line drive and carted off the field in the second inning of Colorado’s game against the Nationals.

Nicasio was taken to the hospital where he was “resting comfortably while undergoing a battery of tests,” the Rockies announced.

The right-hander was struck by a ball off the bat of Washington’s Ian Desmond. The ball slammed into the right side of Nicasio’s head with a smack and caromed away, rolling over the first-base line.

Nicasio went down and lay flat on the mound for several minutes as he was attended to by training staff. He was moved onto a cart by four medical personnel, helped by teammate Todd Helton and manager Jim Tracy.

He could be seen blinking and moving his hands and legs before he was put on a stability board and loaded onto a cart.

DENVER
— Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio was hit in the head by a line drive and carted off the field.

The right-hander was struck by a ball off the bat of Washington’s Ian Desmond. The ball bounced off the right side of his head with a smack and rolled away over the first-base line.

The Rockies said Nicasio was taken to the hospital.

Nicasio went down and lay flat on the mound for several minutes as he was attended to by training staff. He was moved onto a cart by four medical personnel, helped by teammate Todd Helton and manager Jim Tracy.

He could be seen blinking and moving his hands and legs before he was put on a stability board and loaded onto a cart.

DENVER
— Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio has been hit in the head by a line drive and carted off the field.

The right-hander was struck by a ball off the bat of Washington’s Ian Desmond. The ball bounced off the right side of his head with a smack and rolled away over the first-base line.

Nicasio went down and lay flat on the mound for several minutes as he was attended to by training staff. He was moved onto a cart by four medical personnel, helped by teammate Todd Helton and manager Jim Tracy.

He could be seen blinking and moving his hands and legs before he was put on a stability board and loaded onto a cart.

Navarro, drove in three runs in the Kansas City Royals victory Thursday night over Baltimore, was acquired in a trade Saturday from the Boston Red Sox for Mike Aviles.

Navarro started the previous two games at third base, going 4 for 7, although shortstop is considered his best position. He can also play second base and left field. Manager Ned Yost said he wants the 23-year-old Navarro playing everyday instead of sitting on the Kansas City bench.

The day before sending down Navarro, the Royals purchased the contract of second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

TAMPA, Fla.
— Alex Rodriguez has increased the intensity of his infield drills.

The Yankees third baseman took grounders on the infield dirt for the first time since having right knee surgery on July 14. He also doubled his swing total in tee and soft toss sessions during the second day of work at the Yankees’ minor league complex.

Rodriguez is encouraged and said Friday’s workout was better than the day before.

“The first two days have been good,” Rodriguez said. “I think it’s how I’m going to wake up (feeling), how my body reacts the next week or so.”

A-Rod took 40 grounders on his knees at around 70 feet, 10 on the edge of the infield and 10 more at the normal third base position. He also talked with a group of Atlanta Braves minor leaguers, who were at the complex for a rookie-level Gulf Coast League game.

TAMPA, Fla.
— Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has increased the intensity of his infield drills.

Rodriguez took grounders on the infield dirt for the first time since having right knee surgery July 14. A-Rod also doubled his swing total in tee and soft toss sessions during the second day of work at the Yankees’ minor league complex.

Rodriguez is encouraged so far with his progress and said Friday’s workout was better than the day before.

He took 40 grounders on his knees at around 70 feet, 10 on the edge of the infield and 10 more at the normal third base position. He also talked with a group of Atlanta Braves minor leaguers, who were at the complex for a rookie-level Gulf Coast League game.

MIAMI
— St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese took a pitch to the helmet and came away with a mild concussion and an RBI.

Freese collapsed to the dirt face first when he was hit just above the left temple on a 3-2 pitch from Florida’s Clay Hensley in the third inning Thursday night. The bases were loaded at the time, forcing in a run that put the Cardinals ahead to stay.

“I’m glad we got the run in,” Freese said with a slight smile after St. Louis’ 7-4 win.

At the time, no one was thinking about the score as a trainer rushed to the aid of Freese.

MIAMI
— St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina decided not to appeal a five-game suspension for bumping an umpire and spraying him with spittle, saying the punishment was fair.

The Cardinals’ schedule and Molina’s sore hand made the decision easier to sit out now.

Molina received the suspension Thursday and began serving it hours later when St. Louis opened a four-game series at Florida. The Cardinals are chasing the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers and face them in a crucial three-game series beginning Tuesday.

Molina will return from his suspension Wednesday.

“I was looking at it like, take it right away,” he said. “You want to be part of the race. It’s better to do it now and get it done with and move on.”

Another factor in the decision not to appeal was the bruise on the palm of Molina’s right hand. The injury occurred when he blocked a pitch Wednesday, and he said it likely would have kept him out of two or three games anyway.

Molina said the spittle was unintentional but apologized for his tantrum. Along with the suspension, he was fined an undisclosed amount.

He became incensed after getting called out on strikes by plate umpire Rob Drake in the 10th inning Tuesday night in Milwaukee. After being ejected, Molina kept bumping his chest into Drake, and some spit flew into the umpire’s face during the dispute.

“I’m sorry about it for our fans, the people in St. Louis and our organization,” Molina said. “That’s not me. I’m a good guy. I was caught up in the moment. That’s what happens when you’re caught up in the race and trying to win. I didn’t handle it the right way.”

Manager Tony La Russa had no quarrel with the length of the suspension.

“Yadier was very animated, and he bumped him,” La Russa said. “You’re going to get hit for that. I hope the number didn’t reflect the spitting, because I know he didn’t do it on purpose.”

TAMPA, Fla.
— Alex Rodriguez refused to discuss a Major League Baseball investigation into his involvement in illegal poker games, ending an interview Thursday with a one-word answer.

The New York Yankees had said the injured star would stop his post-workout media session at the team’s minor league training complex if any reporter posed an non-baseball question.

Rodriguez spoke for several minutes about his recovery from knee surgery. But when asked if he would not discuss the poker games, he said “yep” and walked to his car.

Rodriguez’s publicist, however, said the slugging third baseman was looking forward to cooperating with MLB in its poker probe.

Star Magazine reported last month that several people saw A-Rod playing in games hosted at Hollywood hotels and residences.

Richard Rubenstein, Rodriguez’s publicist, said in a statement Thursday morning that the Star’s story contains “numerous factual inaccuracies.”

Rodriguez said it will take a few days to get a timeframe for rejoining the Yankees.

“I think I’ll have a much better indication over the next 48 hours,” he said. “I’m curious to see how my body reacts, responds tomorrow. Tomorrow and the next day will be a good indication.”

The 36-year-old Rodriguez arrived at the Yankees’ minor league complex just before noon, pulling up in his Mercedes and waving to a group of 25 or so fans before entering the building.

This was his first on-field activity since having right knee surgery July 14. He worked out for a half-hour, doing light running, playing catch, taking grounders and hitting in the batting cage off a tee and against a soft toss. He wore a light brace on the knee and showed no signs of difficulty moving. Rodriguez then went inside to ice the knee and run in the pool.

“I feel good. A good day today. Encouraging first day out there on the field and felt pretty good,” said Rodriguez, who signed autographs before talking to the media outside the complex.

Rodriguez said the intensity of the workouts will be increased each day.

“Hopefully 5, 10 percent more every day and see over the next four, five days (how it goes),” Rodriguez said. “It will be a big key to see when I can actually get back on the field for real.”

MIAMI
— St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has been suspended for five games after bumping an umpire several times and spraying him with spittle during a run-in this week.

Major League Baseball also fined Molina an undisclosed amount. He decided against appealing, and the penalty is to begin Thursday night when the Cardinals play at Florida.

Molina became incensed after getting called out on strikes by plate umpire Rob Drake in the 10th inning Tuesday night in Milwaukee and got right up in his face. Already ejected, Molina kept bumping his chest into Drake and some spit flew into the umpire’s face during the animated dispute.